Sketchbook character redesign

Sketchbook character redesign
Originally uploaded by natebramble

Here's a recent page out of my sketchbook. This was the final design I settled on for Walter's new look. Getting rid of the sketchy, inconsistent edge to my character's head is going to really help out with posing. I also like the how the solid black accents on the top of the character balance out the solid blacks on the bottom. Design synergy!

My next big adventure, SPACE! ... in Ohio!

Later this month I'll be attending another small press event out in Columbus, Ohio. The event is SPACE, the Small Press Alternative Comics Expo. It'll take place at the Aladdin Shrine Center in Columbus, Ohio on April 18 & 19. Just this past week I received a new batch of Hermit Hill comic books for the event. I had to re-order since I sold out at STAPLE down in Austin last month. This will be the first time I've attended SPACE, now in it's 10th year of operation, and I am really looking forward to it. Fellow Dallas-ite Grant Sutherland will be attending too and I think we're the only ones going from Texas. Looks to be mostly East Coasters exhibiting at this one.

There's a long list of exhibitors and the tables just sold out, so I think it'll be a big event as small press cons go. If you are in the area I would love for you to stop my table and say hello. I will have Hermit Hill comics, pins and sketch cards on hand as well as copies of my previous Bramble Vine Comics books. Come check it out!

Hermit Hill | #85 | 03/30/09

A New Look.

Hey, it's a Hermit Hill double pack! I figured since I missed the ball last Monday I'd punch it up a notch here. On top of the silliness of Walter seeking a new look making a funny comic, what you also have here is kind of the process I went through recently in dealing with Walter's design as a character. I haven't been happy with his hair for a while now since it's so inconstant. This has made it difficult to deal with in various poses and even keeping it looking the same when I use the same poses. I've been sketching out Walter with various new hair designs in my sketchbook which is how I came up with this strip in particular. We'll see how Walter's new look holds together over the next few updates, but so far I'm liking it more than the sketchy strings I was using before.

Hermit Hill | #84 | 03/27/09

Nesting.

There's something about this little bird that I really like. I know I've had Walter be pretty cruel to birds in the past, but I think this little guy will stick around. His non-confrontational blind optimism will see him through.

Hermit Hill | #83 | 03/25/09

The Quartet.

Now you know Walter is off his rocker. Who in his right mind doesn't want to be part of a barbershop quartet? I mean, jut look at these guys. I know, awesome. Right?

Well, I'm getting back on track with this strip update. I had a sick kid to take care for the past few days and that threw me off my schedule. But hey, it's free. So back off, Chuck. More to come!

Hermit Hill | #82 | 03/20/2009

Wiggle Wiggle.

Walter cannot catch a break. Annoyance at every turn.

Hermit Hill | #81 | 03/18/09

Down in Flames.

Poor Walter. Even the simplest of pleasures are ruined by obnoxious interlopers. Cool RC plane though. I used to work in King of Prussia, PA and the Valley Forge National Park was right there. Sometimes I'd drive through there on my lunch break and see these guys flying RC planes. Really sophisticated and high tech stuff too. It always looked like a lot of fun to me, but at the same time it always looked like it took a huge amount of time and cost to get into all that. So I would just watch.

Hermit Hill | #80 | 03/16/09

Exuberant Descent.

After the big STAPLE! weekend last week I've had to order more prints of the Hermit Hill books. I sold out of them while at the con, but I have SPACE coming up in a few weeks. Still need to make some travel plans for that one. It's going to be my first time to an Ohiio convention. I am really looking forward to it.

Hermit Hill | #79 | 03/13/09

Potty Mouth.

This is actually something I've said before just to be kind of funny when going off to the bathroom. Another term I've heard at the office: "bio break". Engineers and clever restroom word play. Comedy gold.

Hermit Hill | #78 | 03/11/09

Behold, The Kraken.

As I've mentioned before I'm a fan of the non-sequitur. So, here you go, The Kraken. Perhaps it's an homage to the critical plot point that's missing from the Watchmen film. (That's right Snyder! Face!)

STAPLE! '09 Recap | A Huge Personal Success

All my photos from STAPLE '09

This past weekend I was at STAPLE! '09, the Independent Media Expo, down in Austin, TX. It's a comic book and indie pop culture trade show where indie folks come to sell their work.

I arrived Friday evening after driving from Dallas. After checking into my hotel I headed over to Austin Books, the nearby comic book shop and sponsor of STAPLE, for the pre-show party. The store is amazing, one of the largest, cleanest and well laid out comic book stores I'd ever seen. What a great store! Not only did it have a huge selection of recent comics, graphic novels and collectibles, but it had sections for independently published books, small press books and kid friendly comics. This place has it all.

A crowd of the exhibitors and creators gathered in Austin Books and we all chatted, mingled and networked. The keg at the back kept the beer flowing and being surrounded by comics of every kind kept the conversations going. Got to hang around with Mike Hankins, cartoonist behind the webcomic Dorm Dorks, and all four of the the Space Gun Studios guys who made it into Austin just in time for the party. I was able to say hello to Kris Straub and Scott Kurtz who came by for the party. Even though they weren't exhibiting this year they were on hand to cheer the other independent and webcomic folks on.

First thing Saturday I arrived at the Monarch Event Center for STAPLE. Early morning setup chaos was in full swing. As I was setting up my table Stan Sakai was walking around looking at everyone's wares. He stopped by my table and flipped through my books. He gave me a kind node of approval and shook my hand before moving on, so the day already got off to a real good start.

The doors opened and folks streamed into the show. I made my first sale within the first hour of the doors opening. Ultimately I didn't get a whole lot of time to walk around the show myself since it was so busy. I got a few pics thanks to my pal Grant Sutherland, cartoonist behind Greetings From Wonderland. He walked around and snapped some photos for me. I met a lot of folks who were interested in my work. I was able to meet several readers of Hermit Hill, which was especially cool. Always nice to find out that people are actually looking at what you're doing.

A big thanks to my table neighbors for being so friendly and fun to exhibit with, Will "The Mangler" Rodriguez and Meghann Rosales.

By the end of the day I had sold almost 60 books, which is the best single day of sales I have ever done at any convention. On top of the Hermit Hill books I was moving a lot of pins and sketch cards, which kept me busy drawing more to replenish the pile. What an amazingly satisfying time I had there. I return to the drawing board invigorated and even more inspired to keep at it.

After the show I grabbed a bite to eat with Grant and we went back to the hotel room for a victory cigar and beer. I had planned on going to the after party and live art show planned for downtown, but my age started to show and I fell asleep in the chair on our balcony instead. These shows wipe me out! It's exhausting being "on" all day and ain't 22 any more. Oh well.

In the end STAPLE '09 has been the best show for me so far. I will definitely be back next year with more books. I'm already looking forward to it!

Next stop, Columbus, Ohio for S.P.A.C.E.

Hermit Hill | #77 | 03/09/09

He Cared Too Much.

This blender turned out to me much more trouble than it was worth.

STAPLE! here I come!

I will be at the independent Media Expo STAPLE! this weekend down in Austin, TX. If you're into small press, indie publishing or just want to see something new in comics and cartooning you need to get to Austin for the show.

Come and find me at table 40B in the "Hall" section of the show. At my table you'll find the debut of Hermit Hill in print. I'll have comic book versions of the strip in volumes 1 & 2. I'll also have Hermit Hill pins, collectable artist trading cards of original artwork, all my previous comic books published through Bramble Vine Comics, original comic strip artwork and much more.

Check back to my site later for ongoing Twitter posts from the show and photos added to my Flickr account. It's going to be a great time. Come by and say hello!

Hermit Hill | #76 | 03/06/09

Tremble.

You know, it's a strange mix of feelings to create a character for the sole purpose of killing him off. On the one hand I wanted an interesting, harmless, maybe kind looking office dweller and spent some time sketching out ideas in my sketchbook. The next minute I'm putting a gun to the poor guys head. This cartooning thing... it can be a dirty business sometimes. *sigh*

Hermit Hill | #75 | 03/04/09

The Letter.

There's a lot of concentrated anger in that envelope. If it's one thing Walter can do well it's complain.

The last set of books I've been waiting for from my printer have arrived and the convention table sign I had made for Hermit HIll arrived too. So, that's it, I'm officially ready for STAPLE! 2009 this weekend down in Austin!

Hermit Hill Convention Table Sign

Hermit Hill Convention Table Sign
Originally uploaded by natebramble

This is a table sign I had made through Zazzle.com. It's thick plastic cut around an illustration of my main character, Walter, standing on the Hermit Hill logo. It came out far better than I was expecting. I'll have this on my convention tables this year while I sell my comics.

Hermit Hill #69 Original Artwork

Hermit Hill #69 Original Artwork
Originally uploaded by natebramble

This is the original artwork for a strip in my webcomic, Hermit Hill. I scan this into the computer and add text and panels before uploading it to my web site. To see the finalized comic strip go here.

Hermit Hill | #74 | 03/02/09

Diabolical Word Smithery.

Walter enjoys complaining about other people's shortcomings already, so when he gets a chance to take some time to sit down and really concentrate on it ... well, if hatred can become poetry then consider Walter and artist. Staging this strip was fun. I had a boring script, visually speaking, for this one. It's just Walt in front of the computer for 4 panels. I tried to make it as visually interesting as I dared. Hopefully I succeeded.